VINTAGE WW1 BRITISH ORDER THE BRITISH EMPIRE MILITARY 1919 MEDAL CASED

Description

Offered is a First World War era Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) – Military Award. Features a toned 48mm wide gilded silver cross patonce on Tudor crown suspension; the face with a circular central medallion imposed with the portrait of Britannia seated, her left arm extended, a radiant sun above right, within a ring inscribed ‘FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE’; the reverse with a circular central medallion with the crowned cipher of King and Emperor George V within a rope border, silver hallmarks for Sebastian Henry Garrard of London, dated 1919, on correct mounted ribbon. Medal comes in the original Garrard & Co. case of issue. As most wartime O.B.E.’s were awarded in 1919, this is a perfect opportunity to fill the gap in your missing medal group or have as a stand-alone wartime award piece.

The Order was instituted by King George V on 4 June 1917 in five grades to acknowledge the service of non-combatants during wartime. In 1918 the Order was divided into Civil and Military divisions. This example is of the first type with Britannia on the face; since 1935, the Order has had the head and shoulders portraits of King George V and Queen Mary facing left on the face. Today the Order is awarded for distinguished service in any sphere of activity and honorary awards may be made to foreigners.